A.Radhakrishnan , Party In Person v. The Secretary To Govt.,
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 03.07.2025
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE S.M.SUBRAMANIAM AND THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY A.Radhakrishnan ... Petitioner Vs.
1.The Secretary to Government, Tourism Culture and Endowments Department, Secretariat, Chennai-9.
2.The Commissioner of Revenue Administration, Chepauk, Chennai-5.
3.The Commissioner, 119, Nungambakkam High Road, Chennai-34.
4.The Inspector General of Police, Central Zone, Trichirapalli.
5.The District Collector, 6.The District Collector, Thiruvarur.
7.The District Revenue Officer, 8.The Regional Deputy Director of Survey and Land Records, Trichirappali.
1/7
9.The Sub Divisonal Executive Magistrate cum Revenue Divisional Officer, Kumbakonam.
10.The Deputy Inspector General of Registrations, Trichy.
11.The Engineer in Chief, Water Resources Wing, Public Works Department, Chepauk, Chennai-600005.
12.The Superintending Engineer, Tamilnadu Generation and Distribution Corporation, 13.The Assistant Director of Panchayats, 14.The Tourism Officer, 15.The Joint Commissioner, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam District.
16.The Assistant Commissioner.
Kumbakonam, Tanjore District.
17.The Executive Officer, Arulmigu Saranathar Perumal Groups of Temple, Thirucherai, Kumbakonam Taluk, Tanjore District.
... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents to secure and safeguard the properties and also look after the other amenities and welfare measures of the 17th respondent 2/7
temple by considering the petitioner's representation dated 24.08.2019 and on the basis of report submitted by the 17th respondent dated 24.09.2019.
For Petitioner :
Mr.A.Radhakrishnan Party-in-person For RR1, 3 & 14 to 17:
Mr.P.Subbaraj Special Government Pleader For RR2, 5 to 10 & 13:
Mr.P.Thilakkumar Government Pleader For R4 :
Mr.S.Ravi Additional Public Prosecutor For RR11 & 12 :
Mr.S.Deenadhayalan Standing Counsel
O R D E R
[Order of the Court was made by S.M.SUBRAMANIAM, J.] With reference to the relief sought for in this writ petition, the petitioner-in-person would contend that the Sub Divisional Executive Magistrate cum Revenue Divisional Officer, Kumbakonam, addressed a letter to the District Collector, Thanjavur on 01.10.2019 for conduct of survey in respect of temple properties which all are under encroachments.
3/7
2. The petitioner would submit that coordination of Revenue Department, Police Department and other Departments are required for resumption of temple lands, since the revenue records are to be verified and if necessary to be mutated.
3. In view of the complex facts and circumstances and the temple properties are abused, which are to be protected under the provisions of the Tamil NaduHindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959 (hereinafter referred to as "the Act"), the Revenue Authorities have to cooperate by conducting survey, identifying the temple properties and to issue necessary patta and cancel the patta or mutate the records, as the case may be. In this regard, the District Collector, Thanjavur is directed to convene a meeting of all concerned Departments within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. The petitioner may also be permitted to participate in the meeting enabling him to submit all the informations and records to the District Collector for the purpose of resumption of temple lands and protect the lands in accordance with the provisions of the Act. It is needless to state that all other Departments are bound to cooperate for the purpose of resumption of temple lands and to protect the same. 4/7
4. With the above direction, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.
[S.M.S., J.] [S.S.Y., J.] 03.07.2025 Index:Yes Internet:Yes NCC:Yes/No abr To 1.The Secretary to Government, Tourism Culture and Endowments Department, Secretariat, Chennai-9.
2.The Commissioner of Revenue Administration, Chepauk, Chennai-5.
3.The Commissioner, 119, Nungambakkam High Road, Chennai-34.
4.The Inspector General of Police, Central Zone, Trichirapalli.
5.The District Collector, 6.The District Collector, Thiruvarur.
7.The District Revenue Officer, 5/7
8.The Regional Deputy Director of Survey and Land Records, Trichirappali.
9.The Sub Divisonal Executive Magistrate cum Revenue Divisional Officer, Kumbakonam.
10.The Deputy Inspector General of Registrations, Trichy.
11.The Engineer in Chief, Water Resources Wing, Public Works Department, Chepauk, Chennai-600005.
12.The Superintending Engineer, Tamilnadu Generation and Distribution Corporation, 13.The Assistant Director of Panchayats, 14.The Tourism Officer, 15.The Joint Commissioner, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam District.
16.The Assistant Commissioner.
Kumbakonam, Tanjore District.
17.The Executive Officer, Arulmigu Saranathar Perumal Groups of Temple, Thirucherai, Kumbakonam Taluk, Tanjore District.
6/7
S.M.SUBRAMANIAM, J.
and S.SRIMATHY, J.
abr 03.07.2025 7/7